cunning_bison

I'd be so grateful for any help in identifying my bicycle.

I purchased this Dawes racer last year and it was in a sorry state. I have restored certain components such as handlebars and pedals to what I hope they would have originally looked like, and replaced the gears and brakes with quality vintage parts.

Internet research leads me to believe the bike is 1970s, since the headbadge has a circle; half pink and half green. The frame is a green-gold colour. Under the BB is stamped the code CH9638.

The bike is lightweight and now runs like a dream. I'd dearly like to know more about it!

Thanks for any expert advice in advance.

randyjawa 

Nice bicycle you have there.

Have a look at How Old Is My Bike? and apply what you learn there. Pay closest attention to Vintage Component Numbers for the quickest results.

And, by the way, welcome to the Bike Forums.

nikkorod

Another shameless plug for My Ten Speeds.

auchencrow

Hi cunning bison - Welcome to C&V!

I don't see a Reynolds fork decal, so my guess is that it is an Echelon, circa early 80's.

https://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Cat...ng_Echelon.jpg

https://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Cat...cing_specs.jpg

randyjawa 

Not meat to be a plug. I am trying to help. Long ago I put helping others before profit. Needless to say, I am not rich, but I have helped a lot of people avoid bicycle restoration/purchase/refurbishment mistakes, and, for what it is worth, I refer vintage bicycle people to Bike Forums all the time, when answering questions from people who write to MTS, seeking advice about their bicycle related concerns.

I am trying to be a useful member of this community, however; I can certainly stop making mention of my work, if it is unwanted here.

cb400bill

Randy, I don't mind that you often post links to your website on this forum. Many newbies have for sure benefited from the information you have posted. I have visited it often when I have needed help.

gaucho777 

^+1. In Randy's defense, there's a lot of helpful, pertinent info on his site, and I don't expect him to re-type or cut & paste every time he wants to be helpful. It's not as if he is asking the OP to buy anything either.

old's'cool

My Ten Speeds is the expression of what I see as a passion for preserving and enjoying old bicycles of all types, and the desire to share that passion and inculcate others with it. I see no profit motive, and I see nothing amiss when Randy politely and helpfully posts his links in response to a new member's OP. IMHO

3speedslow

I was reading MY TEN SPEED before I found this site. Still go there on a regular basis. Learned much .... but still like to make my mistakes.

Hey, your Dawes, I feel the unknown too. I have one that I haven't identified as well. I think it was one of the frames that got sold and built up as the owner chose.

3SS

Grand Bois

I'm sure nikkorod was just kidding.

Scooper

Randy's My Ten Speed website is a terrific resource in much the same way Jon Fischer's VeloBase, Sheldon Brown's website, Bob Hufford's SLDB, and Tom Findley's Schwinn catalog database are.

3speedslow

Don't forget the HEADBADGE !

old's'cool

I like to think so. But not knowing nikkorod very well, I thought Randy deserved the benefit of the doubt.

unworthy1

...and, I think auchencrow nailed it: Dawes Echelon, 3-main-tube 531DB

Oldpeddaller

+ 1 !!!

rootboy 

If Randy was selling something, I'd say it might be a shameless plug. But he's giving it away. Can't beat the price.

auchencrow

I thought so.

OldsCOOL

Keep up the good work, Randy.

And to the OP....interesting bike for sure. Nothing like uncovering a good two-wheeled mystery.

olly708

Dawes have always made good quality frames. Up there with the better Raleigh frames, definitely. Yours has a Reynolds decal at the top of the seat tube. At a guess I'd agree with what's been previously stated that the three main tubes will be Reynolds 531 butted. The forks and seat/chainstays will be of "lesser" quality Reynolds tubing, but that's nothing to worry about. If it rides well (and it should) it's well worth keeping - maybe do as you're doing and gradually replace some of the older, lower priced parts with better ones as you go along.

Nice find!

Dawes-man

I think it's about that era but a bit earlier than the Echelon, but it's hard to really tell without more pics. Also, if you still have the components that came with the bike, they would help to narrow down the age and likely model if they are original to the machine.

In any case, welcome cunning_bison!

cunning_bison

Thanks to all for trying to help me identify my bicycle, I do appreciate it!

I've uploaded here some more pictures of the headbadge, decals and lugs. Please forgive the paintwork, she has little rust but needs a respray!

Thanks again

Dawes-man

I'd say 60s, early to mid-70s. The Reynolds sticker means the frame is straight gauge, rather than the more expensive, and lighter, 531 double butted. Probably about mid-level Dawes of the period, not a racer. Have you had a good look at the components that came on the bike? That could give you the best idea of the year of the machine as they often have date codes.